Power system for a firearm

ABSTRACT

A power system for a firearm includes a buffer tube adapter that attaches to a buffer tube of the firearm. A buttstock slidably engages with the buffer tube adapter along an axis, and the buttstock is adapted to adjust a length of the firearm. A power source is held by the buffer tube adapter and is at least partially covered by the buttstock. The power source is configured to power electronic accessories mounted to the firearm. The power system is mountable to the firearm without altering the buffer tube of the firearm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/980,524, filed May 15, 2018, entitled “POWER SYSTEM FOR A FIREARM”,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/506,537, filed May 15, 2017, entitled “POWER SYSTEM FOR A FIREARM”,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

INTRODUCTION

Accessories such as lights, cameras, laser range finders, infraredsensors, displays, and radios may be added to firearms to improve thesituational awareness of the firearm user. However, firearm mountedaccessories can increase the weight and bulk of a firearm because of theadditional weight that results from each accessory having a separatebattery system. Also, different firearm mounted accessories may requiredifferent types of batteries which can make it burdensome to carrymultiple types of spare batteries for the firearm mounted accessories.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to firearms. In oneconfiguration and by non-limiting example, a power system for a firearmenables attached accessory devices to draw power from a central powersource and to communicate with the user and/or other devices.

In one aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a power system for afirearm that includes a buffer tube adapter configured to attach to abuffer tube of the firearm. A buttstock is slidably engaged with thebuffer tube adapter along an axis, and the buttstock is configured toadjust a length of the firearm. A power source is held by the buffertube adapter and at least partially covered by the buttstock. The powersource is configured to power electronic accessories mounted to thefirearm. The power system is mountable to the firearm without alteringthe buffer tube of the firearm.

In some examples, the power system includes a mounting bracket thatsecures the buffer tube adapter to the buffer tube of the firearm. Insome examples, the power source is held inside a compartment of thebuffer tube adapter, and the compartment is axially aligned with achannel in the buttstock. In some examples, the buffer tube adapterincludes indexing notches that lock the buttstock in multipleintermediate positions along the axis. In some examples, the powersource is configured to connect to a power socket mounted to a grip ofthe firearm. In some examples, the power source comprises AA batteries.In other examples, the power source comprises rechargeable batteries. Inother examples, the power source comprises a fuel cell.

In some examples, the power source is housed inside a housing, and thehousing includes a release lever that engages a latch on the buffer tubeadapter for locking the power source in a fixed position with respect tothe buffer tube adapter. In some examples, the release lever unlocks thehousing from the buffer tube adaptor for removal of the power sourcefrom the firearm. In some examples, the housing includes a socket sealproviding a watertight connection between an electrode terminal and apower socket in the firearm.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates a power system for afirearm, the power system comprising: a buffer tube adapter having apower source compartment and configured to be connected to an unalteredbuffer tube of the firearm; a power source arranged inside the powersource compartment of the buffer tube adapter and configured to powerelectronic accessories mounted to the firearm; and a buttstock coupledto the buffer tube adapter.

In another aspect, the disclosed technology relates a method ofinstalling a power system for a firearm, the method comprising:connecting a buffer tube adapter to a stock buffer tube of a firearmwithout altering the buffer tube, the buffer tube adapter having a powersource compartment; connecting a buttstock to the buffer tube adapter;and inserting a power source into the power source compartment.

In some examples, the method further includes mounting one or moreelectronic accessories to the firearm; electrically connecting theplurality of electronic accessories to the power source; and poweringthe electronic accessories from the power source.

In some examples, the method further includes actuating a release leverto release the power source from the buffer tube adapter; and removingthe power source from the power source compartment by sliding the powersource through an opening in the buttstock.

In some examples, the method further includes inserting a second powersource through the opening in the buttstock; sliding the second powersource into the power source compartment; and engaging the second powersource with a latch coupled to the release lever to secure the secondpower source in the power source compartment.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and tocombination of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventiveconcepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use inconjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a previous power system for a firearm.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the previous power system.

FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of a buffer tube and a battery pack.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the buffer tube and the battery pack.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of an improved power system inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an isometric bottom view of a buttstock in the power system.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembled power system attached to afirearm.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a power source partially inserted intothe power system.

FIG. 9 is a bottom isometric view of a connection of the power source toa firearm.

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of a firearm with the power systemof FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of the firearm of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of a housing for a power source.

FIG. 13 is a bottom isometric view of the housing of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a holder within the housing of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of control electronics inside the housingof FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a side view of a firearm having a grip and a power socket.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the firearm of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a power connector connected to a grip.

FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of the power connector and thegrip.

FIG. 20 is an exploded isometric view of a firearm, the power connector,and the grip.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method of installing a power system onto afirearm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a previous power system 3 for a firearm 20.FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the previous power system 3. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the previous power system 3 includes a buffer tube 1 anda battery pack 4 attached thereto. The buffer tube 1 extends from areceiver 2 of the firearm 20. The battery pack 4 is attachable to thebottom of the buffer tube 1 and is partially encapsulated by anadjustable buttstock 5.

The adjustable buttstock 5 provides a compartment underneath the buffertube 1 which allows insertion and removal of the battery pack 4 throughthe rear of the firearm 20. The battery pack 4 mounts on the buffer tube1 independent of the adjustable buttstock 5 which telescopes along thefirearm 20. The adjustable buttstock 5 is collapsible and can beextended in various multiple intermediate positions providing anadjustable overall length of the firearm 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the buffer tube 1 includes indexing notches 6 and aslide guide ramp 7 that extend along the length of the buffer tube 1 andthat allow the adjustable buttstock 5 to lock onto the buffer tube 1 inmultiple positions for adjusting the length of the firearm 20. A releaselever 8, a latch arm 9, and a torsion spring 10 are mounted onto theadjustable buttstock 5 and held together with clevis pins 11 andretaining rings 12.

A pull of the release lever 8 disengages the latch arm 9 and slides thelatch arm 9 away from an interface with an indexing notch 6 of thebuffer tube 1. This allows free adjustment of the adjustable buttstock 5guided by the slide guide slot 14 until stopped by the release stop tab13. When the release lever 8 is released, the torsion spring 10 forcesthe latch arm 9 into position which automatically engages into one ofthe interfaces of the indexing notches 6 and locks the adjustablebuttstock 5 into position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of the buffer tube 1 and the batterypack 4. FIG. 4 is an end view of the buffer tube 1 and the battery pack4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the buffer tube 1 includes a dovetailguide 15 that extends longitudinally, and the battery pack 4 has amating dovetail channel 16. The mating dovetail channel 16 can beinserted into the dovetail guide 15 of the buffer tube 1 so that thebattery pack 4 can be held by the buffer tube 1.

A disadvantage of the previous power system 3 of FIGS. 1-4 is that itrequires replacement of a standard buffer tube of a stock firearm withthe customized buffer tube 1 that includes the dovetail guide 15 forholding the battery pack 4. Replacing a standard buffer tube with thecustomized buffer tube 1 may require installation by a professionalgunsmith.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of an improved power system 30. Thepower system 30 can be installed on a stock firearm without replacing ormodifying the buffer tube. Thus, the power system 30 is a drop-inreplacement that can be installed on a stock firearm at less cost andeffort than the previous power system 3. The power system 30 alsoimproves the durability of a stock firearm as the power source can bemore securely attached to the stock firearm and the power system 30maintains the stock firearm's factory setup.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power system 30 includes a buffer tube adapter17, a slide guide channel 18, mounting bracket and screws 19, and alatch 21. The buffer tube adapter 17 can be made from a strong and lightweight material, and is attachable to the rear of a stock firearm. Themounting bracket and screws 19 can be used to secure the buffer tubeadapter 17 to the stock firearm. The buffer tube adapter 17 provides acompartment 22 for holding a power source. The compartment 22 is axiallyaligned with a channel 24 of a buttstock 25.

As shown in FIG. 5, the buffer tube adapter 17 includes the slide guidechannel 18 on an exterior surface. The slide guide channel 18 is locatedon both sides of the buffer tube adapter 17, and extends longitudinallyacross the length of the buffer tube adapter 17.

FIG. 6 is an isometric bottom view of the buttstock 25. The buttstock 25is collapsible and can be made from a polymer material. The buttstock 25includes a rail 32 having a dove tail groove on an interior surface ofthe buttstock 25. The dove tail groove of the rail 32 is slidablyengageable with the slide guide channel 18 of the buffer tube adapter 17such that the buttstock 25 can slide up and down the buffer tube adapter17 along a longitudinal axis.

FIG. 6 shows a release latch 28 disposed on a bottom surface of thebuttstock 25. The release latch 28 engages the buffer tube 1 of thefirearm (as will be described in more detail). FIG. 6 further shows asling mount 29 for attaching a sling to the buttstock 25 of the firearm.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the power system 30 attached to a firearm 20.Although, the power system 30 is shown and described as attached to acarbine assault rifle, the power system 30 can be attached to any typeof firearm including automatic, semi-automatic, and bolt action rifles,as well as handguns and pistols. Accordingly, it is to be understoodthat the power system 30 can be used with a variety of firearms.

As shown in FIG. 7, the release latch 28 of the buttstock 25 isengagable with indexing notches 33 on a bottom surface of the buffertube adapter 17. The indexing notches 33 can lock the buttstock 25 intoa fixed position to adjust the length of the firearm 20. Thus, thebuttstock 25 can be extended in multiple intermediate positions alongthe buffer tube adapter 17 for adjusting the length of the firearm 20.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a power source 23 partially inserted intothe power system 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the power source 23 can beinstalled through an opening 26 at the rear of the buttstock 25 and canbe inserted into the channel 24 of the buttstock 25 so that the powersource 23 is held inside the compartment 22 of the buffer tube adapter17 and is at least partially covered by the buffer tube 25. A releaselever 31 on the power source 23 is engagable with the latch 21 (shown inFIG. 2) located at the rear of the buffer tube adapter 17 for lockingthe power source 23 in place once completely inserted into thecompartment 22.

FIG. 9 is a bottom isometric view of a connection of the power source 23to the firearm 20. As shown in FIG. 9, when the power source 23 is heldin the compartment 22 of the buffer tube adapter 17, the power source 23is connected to a power socket 34 for supplying power to accessoriesmounted to the firearm 20. The location of the power source 23 withinthe firearm 20 offers functional advantages toward the overall balance,usability, and ergonomics of the firearm. Also, the location provides aconvenient method of replacing and charging the power source 23.

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of the firearm 20, a stock buffertube 36, the buffer tube adapter 17, the buttstock 25, and the powersource 23. FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of the components shown inFIG. 10. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The buffer tube adapter 17 isassembled at the rear of the firearm 20, and encapsulates the stockbuffer tube 36.

The buffer tube adapter 17 holds the power source 23 when it is insertedthrough the buttstock 25. This allows modification of the firearm 20 toinclude the power system 30 without having to modify or replace thestock buffer tube 36. Instead, a firearm user can replace the stockbuttstock and the stock grip of the firearm 20, with the power system30.

FIG. 12 is a top isometric view of a housing 37 for the power source 23.As shown in FIG. 12, the housing 37 includes a release lever 31 that canengage the latch 21 disposed at the rear end of the buffer tube adapter17 for locking the power source 23 in place once completely insertedinto the power system 30. Depressing the release lever 31 unlocks thehousing 37 for removal and replacement. The housing 37 further includesa cover 50 having a socket seal 41 and an electrode terminal 42 forinterfacing with the power socket 34 of the firearm. The cover 50 can bemade from a polymer material such as plastic. When the power source 23is locked into the buffer tube adapter 17, a physical connection betweenthe electrode terminal 42 and the power socket 34 supplies energy forpowering electronic accessories mounted to the firearm 20. The socketseal 41 can be made from a rubber material to provide a watertight sealbetween the electrode terminal 42 and the power socket 34 of the firearm20.

FIG. 13 is a bottom isometric view of the housing 37. As shown in FIG.13, the housing 37 can include a holder latch 38, an LED light state ofcharge indicator 39, and a pushbutton state of charge indicator 40. Whena user pushes the pushbutton state of charge indicator 40, the LED lightstate of charge indicator 39 indicates the state of charge of the powersource 23.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the housing 37 and a holder 43 locatedwithin the housing 37. As shown in FIG. 14, the holder 43 is receivedinside the housing 37 and is shaped for holding the power source 23. Theholder 43 can be made from a polymer material such as plastic. In theexample shown in FIG. 14, the power source 23 is depicted as having AAbatteries, and accordingly, the holder 43 is shaped to hold standard AAbatteries.

In some examples, the holder 43 is shaped to hold 12 AA batteries. Inother examples, the holder 43 can be shaped to hold more than 12 AAbatteries or fewer than 12 AA batteries. In alternative examples, theholder 43 can be configured to hold batteries that are of a differentsize and shape than AA batteries. Furthermore, in alternative examples,the holder 43 can be shaped to hold different types of energy sourcessuch as, for example, rechargeable batteries, and the housing 37 couldbe modified to hold the rechargeable batteries.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the housing 37 and control electronics44 housed inside the housing 37. As shown in FIG. 15, the controlelectronics 44 are mounted to the front of the housing 37 so that theycan be connected to the socket seal 41 and the electrode terminal 42.The control electronics 44 can be used to manage and control the powersource 23.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the housing 37 can securely hold the powersource 23 under severe environmental conditions such as during thedischarge of the firearm 20. The housing 37 can also connect the powersource 23 to the power socket 34 over a long period of time, and undersevere conditions without causing power failure due to defective contactbetween the electrode terminal 42 and the power socket 34. Furthermore,the housing 37 also facilitates the replacement of the power source 23without the need of special tools such that the firearm user can easilyreplace the power source 23 while in the field of operation and underduress. Also, the housing 37 can protect the power source 23 from water,dust, and other contaminants in the field.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the firearm 20 having a grip 45 and a powersocket 34. FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the firearm 20. As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, the grip 45 of the firearm 20 is integrated with thepower socket 34. This allows for easy insertion and alignment of thehousing 37 of the power source 23 into the firearm 20, and facilitateseasy replacement of the power source 23 after it has been fullydischarged.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a power connector 46 connected to thegrip 45. FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of the power connector 46and the grip 45. FIG. 20 is an exploded isometric view of the firearm20, the power connector 46, and the grip 45. As shown in FIGS. 18-20,the power connector 46 is integrated with the grip 45. The powerconnector 46 transmits power from the power source 23 via the powersocket 34 to the front of the firearm 20 for powering firearm mountedaccessories. Power pins 48 attach the power connector 46 to the grip 45.The grip 45 can be assembled to the receiver 49 of the firearm via anassembly screw 47.

As described above, primary batteries such as AA batteries can be usedas the power source 23 for powering the firearm 20 due to thereliability and maturity of primary battery technology. While primarybatteries can be used as the power source 23 of the powering system,additional power sources are contemplated such as fuel cells. In someexamples, fuel cells can also be used to supplement primary batteries ina hybrid system.

It is also contemplated that secondary batteries which can be rechargedafter use, and are hence re-usable, can be used as the power source 23.Secondary batteries such as lead-acid, silver-zinc, and metal hydridetypes of secondary batteries can be used as the power source 23. Also,advanced technologies including, for example, Li-ion and Li polymerchemistries, nickel metal hydride, and lithium sulfur can be used as thepower source 23 for powering the firearm mounted accessories. Li-ionbatteries may include several different chemistries, including LiCoO2,LiNiO2, and LiMn2O4 positive electrodes. Capacitors, includingsupercapacitors, ultracapacitors, or banks of capacitors could also beused.

FIG. 21 illustrates a method 500 of installing a power system onto afirearm. The method 500 includes a step 502 of connecting a buffer tubeadapter to a stock buffer tube of a firearm without altering the stockbuffer tube. Next, the method 500 includes a step 504 of connecting abuttstock to the buffer tube adapter. Thereafter, the method 500includes a step 506 of inserting a power source into a power sourcecompartment of the buffer tube adapter.

In some examples, the method 500 may include additional steps ofmounting one or more electronic accessories to the firearm, electricallyconnecting the electronic accessories to the power source, and poweringthe electronic accessories from the power source.

In some examples, the method 500 may include additional steps ofactuating a release lever to release the power source from the buffertube adapter, and removing the power source from the power sourcecompartment by sliding the power source through an opening in thebuttstock. In some examples, the method 500 may include further steps ofinserting a second power source through the opening in the buttstock,sliding the second power source into the power source compartment, andengaging the second power source with a latch coupled to the releaselever to secure the second power source in the power source compartment.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and application illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A system for powering one or more accessory deviceswhen the one or more accessory devices are attached to a firearm, thesystem comprising: a buffer tube adapter configured to attach to andsurround a buffer tube of the firearm without replacing or modifying thebuffer tube; and a power source held by the buffer tube adapter andseparable from the buffer tube adapter while the buffer tube adapterremains attached to the buffer tube, the power source configured toprovide the electrical power to the one or more accessory devices. 20.The power system of claim 19, wherein the power source is held inside acompartment of the buffer tube adapter, and the compartment is axiallyaligned with the buffer tube.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein thebuffer tube adapter includes a guide channel configured to slidablyengage a buttstock of the firearm.
 22. The system of claim 21, furthercomprising the buttstock.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the buffertube adapter includes indexing notches that lock the buttstock inmultiple intermediate positions to adjust a length of the firearm. 24.The system of claim 19, wherein the power source is configured toconnect to a power socket mounted to a grip of the firearm.
 25. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the power source comprises AA batteries,rechargeable batteries, or a fuel cell.
 26. The system of claim 19,wherein the power source is housed inside a housing, and the housingincludes a release lever that engages a latch on the buffer tube adapterfor locking the power source in a fixed position with respect to thebuffer tube adapter.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the releaselever unlocks the housing from the buffer tube adaptor for removal ofthe power source from the firearm.
 28. The system of claim 26, whereinthe housing includes a socket seal providing a watertight connectionbetween an electrode terminal and a power socket in the firearm.
 29. Afirearm comprising the system of claim
 19. 30. A buffer tube adapter fora firearm, the buffer tube adapter comprising: a body configured tosurround an unaltered buffer tube of the firearm; a mounting arrangementconfigured to secure the body to the unaltered buffer tube; and acompartment defined by the body, the compartment configured to hold apower source to power accessory devices mounted to the firearm, thepower source being separable from the compartment while the buffer tubeadapter remains secured to the unaltered buffer tube.
 31. The buffertube adapter of claim 30, further comprising: a guide channel configuredto slidably engage a buttstock of the firearm.
 32. The buffer tubeadapter of claim 31, further comprising: indexing notches that areconfigured to lock the buttstock in multiple intermediate positions toadjust a length of the firearm.
 33. The buffer tube adapter of claim 30,further comprising: a latch for locking the power source within thecompartment.
 34. The buffer tube adapter of claim 30, wherein thecompartment is axially aligned with the unaltered buffer tube.
 35. Amethod of installing a power source on a firearm, the method comprising:connecting a buffer tube adapter to a stock buffer tube of a firearmwithout altering or replacing the buffer tube; inserting a power sourceinto a compartment of the buffer tube adapter; and locking the powersource in place once completely inserted into the compartment.
 36. Themethod of claim 35, further comprising: using the power source to poweran accessory device mounted to the firearm.
 37. The method of claim 35,further comprising: actuating a release lever to release the powersource from the compartment of the buffer tube adapter; and removing thepower source from the compartment while the buffer tube adapter remainsconnected to the stock buffer tube.
 38. The method of claim 35, furthercomprising: connecting a buttstock to the buffer tube adapter; andsliding the buttstock along the buffer tube adapter to adjust a lengthof the firearm.